Midge the Neko - Boyxboy -complete-

Chapter 20 -- Zac

After Midge's nap that evening they cuddled and played checkers during which Midge managed to somehow STILL be halfway on top of Scott, but he didn't mind.  Scott knew he needed reassurance, was filling up his comfort tank for tomorrow night.  Really, it was so unbelievably cute to be needed so much, to be able to make him so happy by just sitting with him that he couldn't help but enjoy it.  Besides, Midge was a killer checkers player and after the first game, he'd won every single time.

They tested his phone, even having a conversation while in separate rooms.  It didn't last long though, the distance, because Midge snuck into the living room and curled up on the couch not long after Scott answered.  They loaded a few apps, not too many so as to not overwhelm him, and he learned how to work each one, sounding out the names and trying to read everything he came across.

At Midge's prompting, they worked on how to spell Scott's name and he wrote it, first and last, again and again.  After a late picnic dinner of sandwiches and chips eaten on the living room floor, Scott finally had to face the messages on his own phone.  He left Midge with his new papers and pencils at the counter and went into the bedroom to make some calls.  Yes, he had to admit that it wasn't really his anymore, it was just theirs.  He had to get them a new apartment as soon as possible.

He talked to Kelly who wanted an update on how Midge was doing, and how HE was doing.  He tried to downplay everything but he knew he'd failed when she said they needed to 'TALK' tomorrow.  He knew her talks and she would pry everything out of him in no time.  If they didn't make it in the music biz, she would make a great psychiatrist, or even better, a detective.  She could probably pull off FBI interrogator too, especially in heels.

After checking in with his mom and giving her a brief itinerary, he called Zachary.   Zac, 'Mr. Hot-and-heavy' turned 'Break' turned 'Off and on again' turned 'Who knew?' He owed him about four phone calls and barely waited for Zac's hello before spitting out a "Hey."

        "Hey hon, long time no see.  How have you been?" Zac asked.

"Good, really.  Busy, but great.  Leaving tomorrow actually."

        "No!  Shit, when do you get back?"

"Saturday, it's just a one-night."

        "So you're free after, right? Saturday night?"

"I... not really Zac.  I'm not sure, why what's up?"

        "Hey, I'm in the car, can I stop by?  It's Chris' birthday Saturday and I have his card.  Why don't I have you sign it in case you can't make it?  I'll fill you in on the plans while I'm there."

There was no easy way out of this.  He wanted to chip in on a gift and signing the card now all made perfect sense.  If he didn't have a Neko sitting in his living room he wouldn't have hesitated to say yes.   "Yeah, that's fine.  ETA?"

"10 or 15, not long.  See you then."

Scott disconnected and walked to the living room spotting Midge hunched over his paper.  He'd heard him enter and turned those big eyes towards him.  "Hey, someone's stopping by, do you mind.... maybe it's easiest if you just go in the bedroom for a few minutes?"

"Of course." Midge gathered his pencils and gently slid them into his case, then stacked everything in a neat pile which he tucked under one arm.  "Should I move my shoes?" he asked, spotting them at the front door.

"I don't think he'll notice but... yeah sure, why not?  I'm sorry."

"It is fine, I understand."

"You're just complicated and I don't mind but I'm not sure about telling Zac and he might not like seeing you here, even human.  This is just easier."

"I am happy to help.  May I use the bathroom first?"

"Of course, and he won't be here long."  He watched Midge's back disappear into his room, then cross into the hallway and he couldn't help but feel he was doing something wrong.  Better safe than sorry.

At the quick double knock he opened the door, not needing to look to know that it was definitely Zac.  "Hi, come on in."

Zac walked over to the couch he'd sat on a hundred times before and put his bag on the table, opening it and pulling out the birthday card.  "Do you have a pen?  I might...." he rummaged through his bag, finding everything but.

"I have one."  He sat down and signed, then handed the pen to Zac. "Keep it, I have more."  He opened his wallet and pulled out a twenty, handing it over as well.

        "I will take you up on that" he answered, smiling and putting the pen and the card back in his bag.  "He has dinner plans with the boyfriend, obviously, so we're meeting after for drinks.  The Blue Heron, the new place next to Roxy's, around 9."

"That sounds good, I haven't seen him in awhile."

        "You haven't seen anyone, but I really only care about me" he chuckled.  "Can we get together sometime?  The sooner the better?" The invitation behind the words was obvious.

He grinned back at Zac's little half-crooked grin.  "Not sure I can, we can talk Saturday, alright?"

        "Works for me.  Have a great show, break a leg and all" he said, standing and heading towards the door.  He opened the front door and then turned, kissing Scott on the cheek.  "Miss you.  See you soon" and he was gone, heading down the stairs.

Scott knocked lightly on the bedroom door before walking in.  "Hey, all clear."

"I was wondering if I could draw you.  Would you mind?"

"No, I don't mind.  I don't know why you'd want to draw my ugly mug, but feel free.  Do you mean right now?"

"Yes, I would like to do it before you leave, if it pleases you."

"Sure, where do you want me?"

"Anywhere is fine, you do not need to pose or anything, you can do what you like.  I just did not want to do it without permission."

They sat on the couch, Midge perched on one end with his sketchbook balanced on his thighs, tongue sticking out in concentration.   Scott tried not to stare and instead put in Finding Nemo which he'd seen a thousand times but never failed to entertain him.  His eyes watched the screen while his mind replayed the last few days in his head and tried to make sense of the days, weeks and years to come.